National Grid Foundation | Complete Release

Troy, N.Y. –Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics and the National Grid Foundation invited local children from Troy's School 16 and the YMCA to participate in "Shoot for the Stars." This program is designed to motivate students to improve their academic performance and attendance and to serve their community. "Shoot for the Stars" rewards students and a guest with tickets to select Rensselaer men's or women's ice hockey games.
 
During the men's Division I hockey game against Dartmouth College on Saturday, November 8, 2014 deserving school students will be highlighted in a pre-game on-ice recognition presentation. Rensselaer's Vice President for Institute Advancement, Mr. Graig Eastin, and Associate Athletic Director, Mr. Kevin Beattie welcome Mr. Robert Keller, National Grid Foundation President and Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino to participate in this presentation. The "Shoot for the Stars" program began at Rensselaer in January, 2014 with children from the Troy City School District.
 
Rensselaer and National Grid Foundation have partnered to implement the program; the National Grid Foundation is supporting the program with a $10,000 investment.
 
As role models to the young people in the community, Rensselaer male and female scholar-athletes will act as mentors to the program participants. Having female role models such as Rensselaer women's hockey players is one way to promote the increased participation and interest of young female students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields and sports.
 
"Shoot for the Stars" is the latest in a series of National Grid Foundation programs, which includes the successful "Hoops for the Stars" program at Siena College, Syracuse University, Providence College and the University of Rhode Island that provide tickets to men's basketball games to local middle school students for their academic achievements.
"Rensselaer is excited to partner with National Grid Foundation to encourage local school children to be the best they can be inside and outside the classroom.  We are confident this initiative will have far-reaching effects for motivating and rewarding students to achieve greatness," said Jim Knowlton, Director of Athletics at Rensselaer.
"The National Grid Foundation is excited to partner with Rensselaer on this important endeavor. We are confident that the students of Troy will excel in the classroom, with the help of Rensselaer's exceptional scholar-athletes and the reward of a Rensselaer hockey game," said Bob Keller, President, National Grid Foundation.
 
About National Grid Foundation
The National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life across its grant making territory. The Foundation's ongoing challenge is to create opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has provided more than $18 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.
 
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is the nation's oldest technological research university. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences, information technology, architecture, management, and the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Institute programs serve undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals around the world. Rensselaer faculty are known for pre-eminence in research conducted in a wide range of fields, with particular emphasis in biotechnology, nanotechnology, computational science and engineering, and the media arts and technology. The Institute is well known for its success in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace so that new discoveries and inventions benefit human life, protect the environment, and strengthen economic development.